|
 |
News |
 |
|
| |
Email this article |
 Printer Friendly Version
|
| |
Man United rivals hope it’s their time to shine |
| |
08.14.2009 |
| |
|
| |
| |
MANCHESTER United begin the defence of their Premier League soccer title this weekend without the man manager Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney call the best player in the world and with four hungry teams snapping at their heels.
With Cristiano Ronaldo gone to Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal will all be hoping it is their time to shine, while new-kids-on-the- block Manchester City are the latest to see if money can buy success.
If United, who host Birmingham on Sunday, are to win their fourth straight title, they will also have to do it without Argentina forward Carlos Tevez, who has crossed the city divide to join big-spending Manchester City.
Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia have been drafted in to replace Ronaldo and Tevez but Alex Ferguson has yet to spend really big.
“Cristiano is the best player in the world,” said Rooney. “If you lose him of course there are going to be questions asked. We might need to play a different style to try to keep winning games and trying to win trophies but I am confident we will manage it.”
Liverpool, who pushed United closest last year, are chasing their first title since 1989 and have added Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani to their squad ahead of their opener at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Rafael Benitez led the side to Champions League victory in 2005, but the fact that they have not won the title for so long still hurts. They lost Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, but in Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have arguably the best striking partnership in the country. “The key for me is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders,” said Benitez. “If we are close I think that we can win the title.”
Chelsea begin against Hull City tomorrow, with new coach Carlo Ancelotti itching to show that his side are the true challengers to United’s crown. The Italian has not strengthened his side significantly, but their spine is strong with Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard so they are sure to be contenders.
“ Targets are the Premier League and the Champions League and to win these would be a success, but we also need to have an identity with the team and I think we are going the right way about doing this,” said Ancelotti.
It is four years since Arsenal won a trophy of any kind but Arsene Wenger, as always, is sticking to his guns and believes the current crop of players at his disposal are good enough to compete.
Emmanuel Adebayor may be at Manchester City, but they have Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo back from injury, Andrey Arshavin is playing his first full season and the likes of Jack Wilshere are coming through. Wilshere has already caught the eye of England manager Fabio Capello.
Although an injury to Samir Nasri means the Frenchman will miss the start of the season, Wenger believes Arsenal, who take on Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow, can push for honours.
“I feel we are strong enough ,” said Wenger. “In England, people think that all the problems can be sorted out by buying players. The biggest target is to work hard in training, improve what we can improve and have confidence in the players that we have. If we need to add then we will.”
The big four may be competing against each other, but they will all have neckache as they look over their shoulder at Manchester City. Owner by Dubai billionaire Sheikh Mansour, City have splashed out on Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, adding firepower to an already talented, if erratic side.
|
| |
Source:www.dispatch.co.za |
news |
| |
Email this article | Printer Friendly Version |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
| Current Events |
 |
|
| DubaiGetaway |
 |
|
| Featured Links |
| |
|
|
|
